Concrete Contractor January/February 2024

January/February 2024

WORLD OF CONCRETE

2024

OPIOIDS & OVERDOSE DEATHS:

A CALL TO ACTION A FRAMEWORK FOR THE IMAGINATION

CFA’s Grand Project of the Year, by Stephens & Smith Construction Company Inc.

The Worldwide Leader in Concrete Paving Technology

Central Hall -- C5174 Las Vegas Convention Center January 23-25, 2024

www.gomaco.com x info@gomaco.com GOMACO offers the full range of concrete slipform pavers, curb and gutter machines, trimmers, placer/spreaders, texture/ cure machines and bridge/canal finishing equipment. GOMACO equipment features our exclusive and proprietary G+® control system, created in-house by our software engineers from the wants and needs of contractors paving in the field.

At the heart of GOMACO equipment is our passion for concrete and our commitment to our customers. We look forward to visiting with you about your upcoming paving projects and your concrete paving equipment needs. Our worldwide distributor network and our corporate team always stand ready to serve and assist you.

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WHAT’S INSIDE

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | Issue 1, Volume 25

COVER STORY 10 A Framework For

The Imagination

Concrete Foundations Association’s Grand Project of the Year 2023 Contractor: Stephens & Smith Construction Company Inc.

DEPARTMENTS 4 Editor’s Letter 6 New Products 28 Product Focus

Concrete Batch Plants

34 Product Focus

Worksite Safety & PPE

42 The Last Placement Cover Photo Courtesy of Stephens & Smith Construction Company Inc.

FEATURES

HOW TO

8 A Call To Action

20 Skilled Labor

Opioids and overdose deaths in the construction industry.

16 World Of Concrete

2024

New products and solutions you’ll find on the floor.

24 Why Concrete

Quality Depends on Software

An overview of the role different types of software in the back office and in the field can play in quality concrete project execution.

30 Fiber-Reinforced

Concrete As An Alternative to Conventional Steel

Can synthetic fibers compete “headto-head” with steel?

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

WHAT’S ONLINE

Training

How the OPCMIA provides a path on training and apprenticeship programs throughout the country— directly addressing the challenge of finding skilled labor.

The National Association of Home Builders’ latest report says builder confidence is up.

ForConstructionPros.com/22882093

Published and copyrighted 2024 by IRONMARKETS. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.

SPOTLIGHT 29 The U.S. 301

Concrete Test Road

The ACI’s Florida First Coast Chapter has named Superior’s U.S. 301 Concrete Test Road project a 2023 Significant Concrete Structure.

Concrete Contractor (USPS 021-799, ISSN 1935-1887 (print); ISSN 2471-2302 (online) is published six times a year:January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October and November/December by IRONMARKETS, 201 N. Main Street, Ste 350, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Printed in the U.S.A. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Atkinson, WI, and additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Concrete Contractor, PO Box 3605 Northbrook, IL 60065-3605 January/February 2024, Issue 1, Volume 25 One year subscription to non-qualified individuals:

FORM YOUR BUSINESS 38 How Concrete

Builder Confidence Up 3 Points in December

U.S. 1 year: $35, 2 years: $70. Canada & Mexico 1 year: $60, 2 years: $105. All other countries 1 year: $85, 2 years: $160 (payable in U.S. funds drawn on U.S. banks). Single copies available (prepaid only) $10.00 each (U.S., Canada & Mexico), $15.00 each (International)

Contractor Technology Needs Change As Your Business Grows

Printed in the U.S.A.

Published by: IRONMARKETS 201 N. Main Street Ste 350 Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 (800) 538-5544 • WWW.IRON.MARKETS

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 3

EDITOR’S LETTER EDITORIAL

The ‘New’ New Normal

Editor........................................................Jonathan Kozlowski jkozlowski@iron.markets Managing Editor................................................... Gigi Wood gwood@iron.markets Senior Editor, Construction Technology, IRONPROS...........

Charles Rathmann crathmann@iron.markets Junior Editor........................................................Merina Shriver. mshriver@iron.markets

JONATHAN KOZLOWSKI, EDITOR

T

his piece is less about concrete and more about the state of the industry. While I’m not putting forward any predictions, this is more of an extrospective take from what things look like in my office chair. Please, spare me a few moments of observation.

This idea of a “new normal” has been tossed around for long enough. And it’s something that, I feel, needs an update. Let me present to you the awkwardly sounding “new new normal” concept. Give me a second to explain what this means to me.

According to “the internet”, the new normal phrase started a lot longer ago than I first thought - further than the recovery after the pandemic. It first appeared in an article about technology development following the dot-com bubble. Then, it reared its minimizing way back into our lexicon during the 2008 financial crisis in an attempt to put the economic turmoil to a neat sound bite. Afterward, it transformed to being used after a loss, grief - with recovery. Today its baggage also includes how the world is dealing post-pandemic.

Recovery is the key term here.

That extra “new” in our current new new normal almost acts counteractive as if the subject should just return to what “normal” used to be. Yet, the world has changed. We have changed. Business has changed (despite Mondays are still Mondays and concrete still needs placing). The cold hard truth is that there is no going back to how things were. But we can try and recognize some signs and trends along the way that mirrors how the industry is adapting. For one, let’s look at World of Concrete.

See. I brought it back to concrete.

If you consider the excitement for and the attendance of conventions, conferences, and tradeshows - things are looking good. In its own way, I think that can be an indicative outlook for the current and upcoming year. In my conversations with and during tradeshows, the trend seems to show that attendance is growing with more key people walking the floors. It’s not the packed foot traffic they once were decades ago but - dear readers, you’re working smarter and more efficiently. It shows. Your hard work is paying off. I’ve been to a lot of tradeshows in my career and the ones I’ve been to recently have been the most organized, thought out, and planned. That’s all a reflection of what readers like you and attendees want and how you are willing to learn about new equipment, tools, and products.

Ok. That’s enough out of me. Let’s get back to work.

AUDIENCE Audience Development Manager.................. Angela Franks PRODUCTION Senior Production Manger............................... Cindy Rusch crusch@iron.markets Art Director..................................................... Marcy Murphy ADVERTISING/SALES Sales Representative........................................Nikki Lawson. nlawson@iron.markets Sales Representative........................................Patty Maroder pmaroder@iron.markets IRONMARKETS Chief Executive Officer......................................... Ron Spink Chief Financial Officer.................................. JoAnn Breuchel Chief Revenue Officer................................... Amy Schwandt Brand Director, Supply Chain & Green Industry.Jason DeSarle Brand Director, Construction........................... Sean Dunphy VP Audience & Marketing............................ Ronda Hughes VP, Operations & IT........................................... Nick Raether Content Director............................................. Marina Mayer GM, Online & Marketing Services........... Bethany Chambers Director, Demand Generation & Education.........Jim Bagan Content Director, Marketing Services........... Jess Lombardo CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS P.O. Box 3605, Northbrook, IL 60065-3605 (877) 201-3915 | Fax: (847)-291-4816 circ.ConcreteContractor@omeda.com

LIST RENTAL Sr. Account Manager.......................Bart Piccirillo | Data Axle (518) 339 4511 | bart.piccirillo@infogroup.com

REPRINT SERVICES Sales Representative........................................ Nikki Lawson. nlawson@iron.markets

Published and copyrighted 2024 by IronMarkets.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.

ADVISORY BOARD Kim Basham KB Engineering Cheyenne, Wyo. James Baty II Concrete Foundations Association Mt. Vernon, Iowa

Jim Cuviello Cuviello Concrete Polished | Stained | Crafted Stevensville, Md. Chris Klemaske T.B. Penick & Sons, Inc. San Diego, Calif. ®

Dennis Purinton Purinton Builders, Inc. East Granby, Conn.

4 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

Published by IRONMARKETS 201 N. Main Street, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 (800) 538-5544 • www.iron.markets

WWW.FORCONSTRUCTIONPROS.COM/CONCRETE

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

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NEW PRODUCTS

Barricade Building Products Barricade Guard Continuous Corner Insulation

Barricade Guard Continuous Corner is produced with either Thermo-Brace Structural Sheathing or Thermo-Brace Structural Insulated Board (SIB).

These products have been developed to meet the latest energy codes and cater to the evolving needs of the construction industry. Thermo-Brace Guard wraps corners seamlessly and addresses the challenge of thermal bridging, which helps maintain consistent temperatures throughout the structure. With Thermo-Brace Guard, builders and contractors get a light and fast install and save on both the cost of seam tape and labor for corners.

They’re able to unitize the wall and eliminate foam damage usually associated with continuous insulation products. Just as important, home buyers reduce air and moisture infiltration, as well as energy waste, and maximize their overall energy savings.

For more information visit http://CONC.me/products

HCSS-Miter Partnership

MiniTrencher Attachments

MiniTrencher has announced several new products and attachments, including a horizontal auger, a new electric battery-powered division, new GeoRipper T/A trenching attachments for the Milwaukee and Echo powerheads and a redesign of its flagship product, The GeoRipper. The SiBore Drill is a portable horizontal auger that digs underneath concrete, asphalt or any other hard material without breaking the surface. The SiBore Drill uses a waterless-boring method leaving no mud to deal with. GeoRipper e/B. Utilizing a Greenworks or Makita XGT electric battery motor, the GeoRipper e/B is a complete trenching unit that includes a battery-powered motor, battery and charger, as well as MiniTrencher digging chains, bars and accessories.

HCSS has announced its new partnership with Miter, a cloud-based workforce management, HR and payroll platform built for construction.

Miter will integrate with HCSS HeavyJob, an HCSS software with data-driven project management and time-tracking. HCSS is a civil construction management company and shares market overlap with Miter’s customer base. Combining HeavyJob, HCSS’s time-tracking management solution, with Miter’s payroll and HR solution will address manual payment processes. This will enable customers to track time on jobsites and run payroll in seconds, not hours, by syncing all their HeavyJob time sheets with Miter. With the integration, customers will be able to automate certified payroll reporting and apply direct and indirect job costs flow into their ERP. https://CONC.me/onf0bjgc

https://CONC.me/kiwnqwhc

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Vermeer QuickLock Compound

The Vermeer QuickLock two-part epoxy threadlocking compound stabilizes threaded connections between the drive chuck and sub saver of a horizontal directional drill (HDD). It cures in as little as one hour, instead of the industry-standard 24-hour period, enabling HDD crews to get back to drilling after swapping out the sub saver. Vermeer QuickLock epoxy comes in a 2.3-oz. (65.2-g) double-section plastic pack that keeps the resin and catalyst separate. It can be mixed within the pack before applying to the threaded joint. It is zinc-free and has a shelf life of up to six years. https://CONC.me/2irre0w1

Mack Trucks ElectriFi Subscription

ElectriFi Subscription allows customers to pay as they go for miles driven with chassis and body, charging, applicable incentives, physical damage insurance and maintenance costs for the term of the agreement bundled into a single monthly payment for simplification. Terms are flexible starting at three years, with an option to extend up to a total term of six years. The ElectriFi Subscription also comes with access to Mack’s suite of Uptime services, including telematics and Mack OneCall, Mack’s 24/7 roadside service and support offering experienced personnel at the Mack Uptime Center who will assist customers with the scheduling of their repair. Along with the ElectriFi Subscription option, Mack Financial Services also offers ElectriFi Infrastructure and ElectriFi Lease.

Mack Trucks and Mack Financial Services can also advise on incentives for infrastructure. https://CONC.me/34mrjaji

6 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

DICA Multi-pad Steel Dunnage System

DICA’s SteelTech Dunnage System is designed specifically for concrete pump operators. This product utilizes the properties of steel and DICA’s engineered thermoplastic material for stability and load distribution performance to reduce ground-bearing pressures to acceptable levels.

The interlocking design consists of eight parts that can be stored, deployed and retrieved by a single person. The SteelTech Dunnage System is made up of three SafetyTech Outrigger base pads, four steel tubes and is topped with a SafetyTech pad with an integrated steel plate and recessed radius to keep the outrigger float in place. The steel tubes fit into machined grooves in the SafetyTech base pads. The top pad interlocks with the steel tubes to prevent movement. https://CONC.me/3gdjblnm

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

WORKSITE SAFETY

A Call to Action

ADOBE STOCK BY FRESHIDEA

Opioids and overdose deaths in the construction industry.

F

or over two decades, the opioid crisis has impacted the U.S. The opioid crisis has fueled an overdose crisis that began before the pandemic and then exploded during and after the pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report the number of overdose deaths in the U.S. has more than doubled in the past five years.

Tragically, over 105,000 Americans died from all overdoses in calendar year 2022. Approximately 70% of all overdose deaths in the US are attributed to opioids. Almost 70% of all opioid deaths are due to synthetics, especially fentanyl.

Overdose deaths inflict a toll on families, workplaces, communities, and the national economy. The opioid crisis impacts every socioeconomic class of the US albeit with some notable age, gender, geographic, demographic, and occupational disparities.

A recent National Center for Health Statistics report confirmed the construction and extraction industries have been hit hard by the opioid crisis. Released on August 22, 2023, “Drug Overdose Mortality by Usual Occupation and Industry: 46 U.S. States and New York City, 2020.” This is the first time there has been national data highlighting the impact of the opioid on industry groups and occupations.

8 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

The construction and extraction industries had the highest rate of overdose deaths in 2020 the first year of the pandemic: • The rate per 100,000 workers was reported as 162.6 per 100,000 workers.

• Isolating the construction industry from the extraction industry, the rate is 130.9 per 100,000 workers.

• The overdose death rate for construction is almost three times higher than the rate of suicide for the construction industry reported as 45.3 per 100,000 workers.

Based on annual Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021 was the 9th consecutive annual increase of workplace and/or jobsite fatalities from unintentional overdose from nonmedical use of drugs and alcohol. This now accounts for over 8% of all occupational fatalities. This data has not been available by industry. However, with the recent CDC report, it appears reasonable to project that construction accounts for a large if not disproportionate share of these fatalities. This is one explanation for the growing prevalence of contractors stocking naloxone (Narcan) on jobsites to reverse the effects of overdoses.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

Editor’s Note: The BLS reported the CFOI for 2022 was expected to be released in December 2023. This article was written prior.

ASSESSING RISK FACTORS Opioid risk reduction and overdose prevention is a complex problem. There is no “easy button” or single solution. There are many interrelated causal and contributing factors for why and how construction and extraction have been disproportionately impacted by the opioid crisis.

Addressing the opioid and overdose crisis requires straight talk to acknowledge that there is a problem. Stigma associated with substance misuse creates barriers to care-seeking for addiction treatment and recovery. Musculoskeletal injuries and prescriptions for on- and off-the job injuries and surgeries have been identified as contributing factors.

MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES A major contributing factor for opioids in construction stems from the high frequency of musculoskeletal injuries affecting construction workers. The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) highlights approximately 34% of construction workers have at least one musculoskeletal disorder which leads to opioid prescriptions.

PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS Prescriptions for on- and off-the-job injuries and surgeries continue to be source of new cases of persistent opioid use in construction. “In Waging a Counterattack Against Opioids in the Workplace and at Home,” the increased frequency of opioid prescriptions among construction workers is highlighted.

Moreover, prescription doses were reported as being 20% stronger and for 20% longer durations. The American Medical Association (AMA) reports reductions in opioid prescriptions decreasing for 13 consecutive years. The AMA highlighted there has been a 49.4% decrease in the number of opioid prescriptions from 2012 to 2022. However, the AMA concluded “reductions in opioid prescribing have not led to reductions in drug-related mortality.”

INITIAL PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOR EMPLOYERS • Identify resources and services available to employees and family members seeking support for substance misuse addiction treatment and recovery. This includes understanding the resources and services available from a company- or union-sponsored employee health benefits programs, including Employee Assistance Programs or Member Assistance Programs.

• An increasing number of contractors are sharing information about recovery programs, including 12-step programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

SMART Recovery is another option, which stands for SelfManagement and Recovery Training. Peer support programs are gaining traction in throughout the construction industry.

• Contractors are encouraged to review Worker’s Compensation injury reports to identify operations and

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ADOBE STOCK BY MOHAMMEDELAMINE

work practices with high potential for musculoskeletal injuries. Expand injury prevention to reduce the frequency and severity of Resources soft tissue sprain and strain injuries.

For contractors not yet instituting • American Medical Association (AMA). (Nov 9, 2023)—New AMA warm-up exercise programs this is an effective way of decreasing exposure to report details grim realities of worsening overdose epidemic sprains/strains.

• Billock RM, Steege AL, Miniño A. • Provide basic education on opioids (August 22, 2023)—Drug overdose in toolbox talks or in conjunction mortality by usual occupation and with daily safety huddles on risks of industry: 46 U.S. states and New opioids. Educate employees about the York City, 2020. National Vital risks of opioids and the availability of Statistics Reports; vol 72 no 7. alternative pain management products Hyattsville, MD: National Center for and products and other first dose Health Statistics prevention strategies. Reinforce the • Beyer, Cal, Newland, Brand, importance of everyone becoming and Jones, Richard. (March/ an advocate for themselves and their April 2022)—Building Profits.

Construction Financial family members scheduled for any medical, surgical, or dental procedures Management Association to minimize unnecessary exposure to opioids. The CPWR has compiled various resources that can help with developing supervisory and employee education on opioid risk reduction.

• Download and read the linked comprehensive yet practical reports from prominent researchers specializing in opioid risk reduction strategies and education: Dr. Ann Marie Dale at the Washington University Medical School in St. Louis – “Workplace Guidelines to Prevent Opioid and Substance Abuse for the Construction Trades”; Dr. Cora Roelofs at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell’s work focusing on opioids in the sand and gravel mining sector.

• Center for Construction Research and Training—Resources to Prevent Opioid Deaths in Construction • Healthier Workforce Center Advancing Worker Well-being (2022)—Workplace Guidelines to Prevent Opioid and Substance Abuse for the Construction Trades • University of MassachusettsLowell—Mine Safety and Health Administration Refresher Training Module for Stone, Sand & Gravel Workers • University of MassachusettsLowell—Employer Guide to Preventing Opioid Harms in the Stone, Sand, and Gravel Mining Sector.

Cal Beyer, CWP is a human capital risk and worker wellbeing consultant. He has over 30 years of professional experience in risk management and safety. He has been dedicated to the construction and manufacturing industries since 1995

Find this series and links to listed resources, visit https://CONC.me/OpioidSeries

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 9

COVER STORY

A FRAMEWORK FOR THE IMAGINATION Concrete Foundations Association’s Grand Project of the Year 2023 Contractor: Stephens & Smith Construction Company Inc. All images courtesy of Stephens & Smith Construction Company Inc.

T

he owner of Schlabach Estate Vineyard visioned a bold future for their wine when officially opening in 2018. As the fruit began to mature for the varietals soon to be bottled, a parallel vision emerged for a signature structure for the property.

Acting as their own general contractor, the Schlabachs turned to a local expert in concrete construction, Stephens & Smith Construction Company, Inc. located in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. Meeting with project managers, the idea of building a wine cave attached to their personal residence began to take shape. Preliminary design pictures established early on that two crucial details would need to be delivered. First, the cave must have arched ceilings to establish the architectural character the owners desired. Second, the wine cave would need to be buried below grade so that it could maintain an internal temperature of 55 degrees without any

10 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

heating or air-conditioning.

Having been introduced to the concept, the team at Stephens & Smith went to work and soon provided the owner with a general design to aid in the constructability of the wine cave.

This concept design was then taken to a structural engineer for approval of concept and development of the design. The engineering firm, Structural [design] Group, Inc. of Lincoln, Nebraska provided the owner and Stephens & Smith with an initial design that included footings, foundation walls, and a castin-place structural cap. This design was then used to draw a 3D model using Tekla Structures to present to the owner exactly what the completed foundation would look like. After some minor changes to the cave entry tunnel length, depth, and heights to achieve the desired transition from the residence to the wine cave, a final design was completed.

“While the largest challenge was

forming and placing the barrel-vaulted, cast-in-place roof,” states project manager for Stephens & Smith, Riley Petersen, “this project required tall retaining walls to be installed at the walk-out area of the wine cave. These walls allowed the cave to be fully buried to achieve a depth sufficient to reach the natural earth temperature of 55° F.” The Schlabach Vineyards Residence & Wine Cave was announced as this year’s Overall Grand Project of the Year by the Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) during The Concrete Foundations Convention held in San Antonio, Texas, July 17-19. For the CFA, “energy” is the best way to describe the crop of projects submitted to this year’s projects: the volume of entries; the variety; the creativity of the projects; as well as the stories told by award winners.

This impressive construction project spans 6,993 square feet, featuring a unique wine cave with an arched

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concrete roof design. The project required 915 linear feet of concrete foundation walls, totaling 563 cubic yards of concrete and 38,400 pounds of steel. The walls of the wine cave varied in height, ranging from 2 feet to 14 feet, and in thickness from 8 inches to 24 inches. Designing the arched structural cap for the wine cave posed a challenge, which required extensive discussions among the project team, engineer, and owner to arrive at the final design.

“There are very few concrete contractors that could take on a project as complex as ours, especially during the COVID construction boom,” states co-owner Meggan Schlabach. “Stephens & Smith has talented people at every level from project planning, computer 3D model design, to the hands-on artisans who custom built forms and poured the concrete. The pride in their work shows through in the finished product. It has been a pleasure getting to know their team.”

Beginning with the footings for the project, the team knew this would be a project requiring attention to detail.

The basement footings consisted of shallow spread footings ranging from 16 to 36-in. wide. The basement foundation had a 24-in. footing step down the center of the foundation to allow for a lower-level area to transition down into the cave entry tunnel. The cave entry tunnel also had two 24-in. footing steps over the 40-ft. length to allow for a sloped slab-on-grade ramp down the tunnel. The tunnel footings consisted of 3-ft. wide by 1-ft. 4-in. thick shallow spread footings.

Finally, the wine cave footings consisted of 4 ft. wide by 1 ft. 4-in. thick shallow spread footings to support the 12-in. thick by 9-ft. tall foundation walls and 12-in. thick curved cast-in-place structural cap.

Rising from the footings, the cave entry tunnel had a sloping top of wall to allow for the impressive culminating detail in the barrel vault. The wine cave itself was capped with an arched 12-in. thick structural cap supported on shoring with 14-in. wide by 8-in. thick arched structural beams every 9 ft. 8-in. on center.

Handling the arched roof, the team constructed arched formwork for the 14-in. by 8-in. beams off-site and then lined them with formwork created off-site using 3/4-in. plywood. The prefabricated formwork was then transported to the jobsite and placed using a truck-mounted boom. Once the beams were in place, three sheets of 1/4-in. thick plywood were positioned to form the bottom of the arched structural cap. To support the load of the concrete and reinforcing, the plywood was shored from below using 2x lumber.

Following the placement of the reinforcement, according to the design specifications, the arched structural cap was finally poured in concrete.

The Schlabach Vineyards – Residence and Wine Cave project showcases the intricate craftsmanship and attention to detail required in constructing a wine cave with a challenging arched design. The collaboration between the project team, engineer, and owner, along with the careful execution of the construction process, resulted in the successful completion of this impressive 6,993-sq.-ft. project. As a company, Stephens & Smith holds great pride for this accomplishment. For starters, there were zero safety incidents on

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

TALES OF THE TAPE: SIZE: (TOTAL LIN.FT.)

915 LF

SIZE: (TOTAL SQ.FT.)

6,993 SF

PROJECT CONCRETE: (TOTAL VOLUME)

563 CY

WALLS:

308 CY

FOOTINGS

196 CY

WALLS:

STEEL — 23,000 LBS

FOOTINGS:

STEEL — 8,000 LBS

OTHER: (DESCRIBE) 59 CY, 12-IN. THICK 7,400 LBS WINE CAVE STRUCTURAL CAP WALL HEIGHTS:

VARIES FROM 2 - 14 FT.

WALL THICKNESS:

VARIES FROM 8 - 24 IN.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 11

COVER STORY CONTINUED the project. Additionally, they attribute the craftsmanship of the project to their on-site supervisor, Oscar Hurtado. “Oscar and his crew took a lot of pride in this residence/vineyard,” stated Jereme Montgomery, Business Development for Stephens & Smith.

“Projects like this vineyard are easily overlooked regarding the effort it takes to make it successful. Oscar and his crew provided the owner with foundation walls that were not only structurally sound, but also aesthetically pleasing.”

This national award winner will long be the pride for Stephens & Smith as well as representing a great new relationship with their client, Schlabach Estate Vineyard.

When asked about a final thought for the project, Schlabach says, “I anticipate toasting with them and all those who have made our vision shine through with a glass of our local wine while taking in the breathtaking views. Here’s to our new friends and new vineyard. Cheers!”

Jim Baty is the Executive Director for the Concrete Foundations Association.

PROJECTS OF THE YEAR The Concrete Foundations Association awarded in all, seventeen projects this year in nine different project categories. Project information totals were equally astounding with nearly 480,000 square feet of building area represented. Concrete consumed was 23,492 cubic yards, and 800 tons of steel was placed. The largest project was 156,950 square feet. The largest house was 29,000 square feet, the smallest house was 660 square feet, and the smallest project snuck in at 167 square feet and won an award.

CFA’s Projects of the Year is a showcase for some of the highest quality cast-in-place concrete work year after year much of which then goes unnoticed as it is covered up by the surrounding grade or remaining project. This award program seeks to demonstrate the craftsmanship and creativity for which the cast-in-place concrete industry has become known. Deadline to enter the 2024 Projects of the Year program is May 15, 2024.

Stephens & Smith Construction Company Inc.

12 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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GET THE EDGE, GO THE DISTANCE

HUSQVARNA FLAT SAWS & BLADES Rip through the toughest of concrete with Ulti-Grit™, a series of powerhouse blades engineers to squeeze every ounce of performance from your flat saw. Go further with exceptional flat saw performance - from the first cut to the last. We’ve done the hard work - now go the distance.

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COVER STORY CONTINUED

CFA’S 2023 PROJECTS OF THE YEAR WINNING ENTRIES Single-Family Foundation (< 2,000 Sq.Ft.):

Century-Old Addition, by Herbert Construction

Single-Family Foundation (5,000 to 10,000 Sq.Ft.): Effingham Pool House, by Southern New Hampshire Poured Concrete Construction Single-Family Foundation (5,000 to 10,000 Sq.Ft.):

Schlabach Vineyards, by Stephens & Smith Construction Company Omaha

Single-Family Foundation (10,000 to 15,000 Sq.Ft.):

Layton Residence, by SCW Footings and Foundations

Single-Family Foundation (Over 15,000 Sq.Ft.):

Kaeske Residence, by SCW Footings and Foundations

Single-Family Foundation Over 15,000 Sq.Ft.) :

19 Del Mar, by Ekedal Concrete, Inc.

Single-Family Foundation (2,000 to 5,000 Sq.Ft.):

Masons Island project, by Talpey Construction

Non-Foundation Structural Elements:

3 Edghill project, by Wetteman Brothers Concrete

Multi-Family/Apartment/Townhomes:

Mansfield Apartments II, by Carr Concrete Construction

Commercial/Agricultural Foundations:

Apostolic Christian Church, by Carr Concrete Construction

Non-Building Foundations:

Putnam’s Marina, by Chapin Concrete Contractors

Others - Pool Foundation:

Cherrywood Pool, by MJ Lorenz Concrete

Find this story online at https://CONC.me/v1wkr6nz

14 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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Y O U R W O R K S TA N D S

THE TEST OF TIME. YOUR EQUIPMENT

SHOULD TOO.

No matter how hard the job gets, JLG® is built to help you stand tough through it all. High-capacity telehandlers are engineered to weather the worst while delivering state-of-the-art tech including Smart Load technology that keeps focus up and downtime down.

Never settle. Leave your mark.

L E AV E Y O U R M A R K W I T H J L G . C O M

Blue Vigil ALED Portable Drone Light

The drone light is aimed at making nighttime sites safer.

The startup’s portable light won the 2023 Innovation Award from the American Traffic Safety Services Association. Blue Vigil’s ALED is a compact area lighting system that mounts a high-intensity LED array on a tethered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), positioning the light 40-ft. up to 100-ft. above a jobsite. The ALED puts over 8,000-sq.-ft. of light on the ground.

By illuminating a work zone from 40-100-ft. above, light shines directly down onto the area of operation, without creating the dangerous glare and shadows that negatively affect workers, residential environments, wildlife and motorists.

Find Blue Vigil at N872 https://CONC.me/fgvuw8en

Fortress Crack Stitch

Fortress has the solution for any type of concrete crack repair. The rapid installing, low-cost Crack Stitch is ideal for projects with small to mid-sized cracks and has a tensile strength of over 6,000 lbs.

It installs just below the surface of the substrate, making it easy to hide behind a coating (which can be installed shortly after the stitches are installed).

The Crack Stitch can be installed using an epoxy or cementitious mix. It’s made utilizing pre-cured Carbon Fiber with a Kevlar cross thread, which creates the patented open grid design allowing for the adhesive material to form rivets, resulting in a mechanical bond from end to end. This technology, called Reinforcement Grid Technology, or ReGrid, is the same that Fortress uses in its ICC-certified wall reinforcement system, InvisiBeam.

Probst Pipe Lifter

Find Fortress at S13349

Mechanical pipe clamp designed to unload, transport, and install concrete pipe 16-48 in. ID and a max weight of 9,900 lbs. Slings, chains, and various other lifting devices are eliminated.

Mechanical clamping (no hydraulics) holds the pipe securely, without any damage to the bell end, and allows accurate placement and joining of pipes without damage to the spigot. Labor is saved by eliminating at least one laborer top-side for rigging and guiding pipe. However, the increased safety is why this device will prove to be an invaluable asset to you.

https://CONC.me/48hra20v

Find Probst at C3010 https://CONC.me/yk0di1cl

SmartSense Wafflemat

Wafflemat is one of the the leading foundation systems for single and multi-family residential and light commercial structures built on expansive, rocky, compressible, or liquefiable soils. Wafflemat has been used in over 30,000,000 sq.ft. in foundations across the U.S., since its introduction in 1993. Wafflemat not only delivers significant cost savings by reducing soil prep, concrete, reinforcing steel, and building cycle time. A highlight that the Wafflemat Foundation System offers is its recovery time after rain. A Wafflemat foundation is set on a level building pad, eliminating the need for trenching interior beams.

Find Wafflemat at N1149

IronCraft 4-in-1 Power Rake

The IronCraft Multi-Purpose Power Rake from CID Attachments is an innovative landscape tool that combines a 4-in-1 bucket along with a power rake. With this solution, operators no longer have to change attachments to finish preparing the soil bed. The rake can be used for back dragging, digging and grappling. Powered by a direct drive motor, a flow rate of 15-25 gpm is required during application. Side cutters and 1-1/4-in. pivot pins are standard on the attachment. This attachment is available in various widths and sizes for installation on large machines to mini skid steers. Customers can choose from sizes 66 in., 72 in., 78 in. and 84 in.

Find CID Attachments at C7203 https://CONC.me/ds8q91nh

https://CONC.me/gocmtax0

Ignite Attachments Grapple Attachments

Ignite Attachments has released two new grapple options. The multi-purpose rake grapple reduces soil disturbance during surface debris removal while also allowing hauling–all with a single attachment.

Ignite attachments are optimized to fit most brands of compact tractors and loaders. The combination of rake and clam shell grapple enables land management tasks with a single attachment. The stump bucket grapple maximizes loader breakout force and is designed for digging out tough stumps, roots, rocks or concrete. The reinforced bucket and weld-on edge with replaceable teeth helps promote service life with demanding applications.

Find Ignite Attachments at C6289 https://CONC.me/yi1k1lub

16 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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YOUR BEST 1-2 PUNCH FOR HYDRODEMOLITION. Conjet Robots and NLB Pumps make a Powerful Combo.

Power, reach and stability are crucial for Automated Concrete Removal™ on bridges and parking decks. Combining an NLB 605 Series water jet pump unit with a Conjet robot gives you all that and more.

The NLB 605 is a 600 hp diesel unit known for performance, reliability, and low maintenance. It’s easily convertible to pressures up to 40,000 psi. The Conjet ACR™ Robot 557 MPA XL features a multi-position arm that cuts more than 20 feet high, and shifts its center of gravity to maintain stability and maximize safety.

You can see this robot, and learn about this highly productive tandem at CONEXPO, March 14-18th.

If you can’t make it, please give us a call.

™

Conjet ACR™ Robot 557 MPA XL

605 Series Diesel Unit

NLBCORP.COM (800)441-5059 © Copyright 2024 NLB Corp. | PSaleHydro_24_001_v1

Brickeye PerformanceBased Temperature Differential Limit

Brickeye launched its Performance-Based Temperature Differential Limit (PBTDL) feature, the newest addition to the company’s LumiCon Concrete Monitoring solution. Through real-time data and analytics on mass concrete projects, the PBTDL method provides contractors, engineers and project owners with a temperature differential limit directly tied to the concrete’s strength.

This approach enables an increased allowed temperature differential, while still maintaining a safe threshold, through monitoring of the maximum temperature and temperature differentials.

Find Brickeye at N1777

Battery-Powered Curbing

Understanding that the concrete contractor community are moving more and more towards battery-powered light equipment throughout the jobsite, Curb Roller Manufacturing is featuring its Batt Screet 6000. The lightweight, versatile roller screed operates with no cords, hoses or fumes, offering unparalleled mobility, precision and efficiency to contractors of all sizes. The Batt Screed eliminates the hassle of working around a cord and the added weight of an engine mounted on the screed. The unit gets its power from a removable and rechargeable 60-volt lithium-ion DeWalt FLEXVOLT battery. One fully charged battery is estimated to screed off 1,800-2,500 sq.f., depending on the slump and pipe length.

Find Curb Roller Manufacturing at O31350 https://CONC.me/w4qrdlxj

KIOTI TL750 and SL750

KIOTI Tractor is launching the TL750 Compact Track Loader and SL750 Skid Steer Loader.

Rugged and tough, the models were designed, engineered and manufactured in-house. Both machines feature a wide cabin, available with the standard open station design or an optional enclosed cab with HVAC. The compact models include a high-back suspension seat and LCD digital display. The standard roll-up style door allows for entrance and exit, regardless of the position of the bucket or attachment. The overhead door design increases flexibility on the job as operators can work with the door open or closed.

The design offers machine visibility to the front, sides and rear.

Find KIOTI at C5477 https://CONC.me/jw52108j

https://CONC.me/zgr0m6kp

Rust-Oleum Innovates All-In-One Packaging System

Rust-Oleum will be showcasing its cutting-edge All-In-One Packaging system for two-component kits across flooring brands, including Concrete Saver, Seal-Krete High Performance, and Citadel Floor Finishing Systems. This revolutionary packaging system, designed to enhance inventory management and streamline application processes, offers precision in mixing, tailored convenience with various kit sizes, and simplified shipping to minimize damages and maximize efficiency.

Rust-Oleum’s All-In-One Packaging system for twocomponent kits not only enhances the efficiency of inventory handling but also optimizes the shipping process, ensuring that A&B components are shipped together, maximizing product delivery per pallet.

Find Rust-Oleum at S12317 https://CONC.me/89bonk1r

Hands-on With CTS Cement

CTS Cement Manufactguring are planning a memorable booth experience to answer any and all questions about rapid-setting cements in general and Rapid Set in particular.

• 15 live demonstrations of Rapid Set products for highway/bridge pavement, structural restoration, vertical/overhead repair, waterproofing, and the industry’s most widely used polishable flooring system • Hands-on workshops customized to your project challenges. Find out when to use and how easy it is to use Rapid Set products • Accelerated long-term pavement preservation that allows for traffic to open in 2-3 hours • Shrinkage-compensating concrete and grout solutions CTS has helped concrete repair and restoration contractors increase project productivity and longevity for more than five decades.

Find CTS Cement and Rapid-Set at S104074 https://CONC.me/v6uys4lh

Somero Donates S-485 Laser Screed for 2024 CIM Auction The Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program – a business intensive program that awards students with a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Concrete Industry Management – is pleased to announce the donation by Somero Enterprises, Inc. of a S-485 Laser Screed. The Somero S-485 Laser Screed is an incredibly easy to operate and powerful 4-wheel drive machine. It is multi-functional as well capable of fine grading most subbase materials, raking concrete level, or for screeding of concrete to very high floor levelness standards including world recordsetting and Golden Trowel Award winning performance.

Find the auction in N262 The annual auction will be held Wednesday, Jan. 24. The silent auction will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The live auction begins at 1 p.m. https://CONC.me/nhcbz8xl

18 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

Born with a long reach and a wide pass, this machine is built to screed more and screed faster. Complete with an ultra heavyduty boom reaching 20 feet with an allnew High Performance 12.5’ screed head.

Powered by a 45 hp Kubota turbocharged diesel engine. Includes selectable four-wheel drive with a 2-speed drive range and fourwheel independent steering for increased maneuverability and traction.

The ULTRA PLUS features a high-tech elevated operator’s platform, including a captain’s seat, twin joystick controls, and a 7” touchscreen control panel - which also serves as a display for the industry-first SCREEDVIEW™ camera system.

On board you will find a built in pressure washer for clean-up, two locking toolboxes and two high-capacity water tanks.

LIGCHINE.COM 812-903-4500

JANUARY 23-25, 2024

LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER

OUTDOOR SILVER LOT BOOTH #32000

HOW TO » BY JONATHAN KOZLOWSKI, EDITOR

Skilled Labor Training

O

f the handful of issues contractors have to contend with, one of the most difficult has been the need to discover skilled labor. It’s a rare story now to find a new hire with no experience willing to stick through the years and become that indispensable skilled worker you needed last week. The Operative Plasterers’ & Cement Masons’ International Association (OPCMIA) recognizes this and with about 55 different apprenticeship programs spread out over the country, they provide training programs that specialize in the training needed. Staring back in 1864, making it one of the oldest unions in the U.S., the OPCMIA’s current membership is about 48,000 including journeymen.

The local union/JATC conducts joint apprenticeship training programs through collective bargaining agreements (CBA) and standards. The JATC partners with construction companies in the CBA and through the apprenticeship program helps deliver training for the future workforce.

20 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

“We have different apprenticeship programs established throughout the country,” says Nick Demonte, OPCMIA-ITF Cement Mason Coordinator, and master trainer through CPWR. “It’s a great opportunity to come into training, where you might not know anything about concrete or plastering work.” The key is those training in the apprenticeship program are also earning a good wage and are becoming more valuable to the contractor.

Demonte has almost 30 years of experience in construction and has been instructing now for 11 years. He started in Cleveland, Ohio as the instructor for the local 404. After being promoted to the international level, the OPCMIA started its International Training Fund (ITF) to help all the locals across the country – assisting them in any way they can.

Recently, Demonte has been promoted to coordinator and has his eyes set on the instructors.

“My goal is to train the instructors. To make sure they can

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go to their respective locals with the best knowledge available and train the apprentices and journeymen,” he says. His goal is aimed at one massive question: what needs to happen to train instructors, so they have the skills to train apprentices and journeymen in the future workforce.

They want to accredit all their instructors and all their apprentices and journeymen to receive as many certifications as possible.

“Education is power, and it can lead to more money,” he says.

“It’s something that nobody can every take away from you – that’s why we’ve partnered with the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) and the American Concrete Institute (ACI).”

EARN WHILE YOU LEARN Regulated through the Department of Labor, pay is based on hours from both on-the-job training and classroom related instruction- earning a raise after completing the required hours. These can be accomplished in yearly increments, while some programs are scheduled for a six-month increment.

Training by the OPCMIA works within a working relationship with signatory contractors. “When I was the instructor,” explains Demonte, “we had people that were looking for work. We brought them through our apprenticeship program, and then we placed them with a signatory contractor. We gave them basic skills to go on the jobsite.”

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Weather can be an issue for construction in general and it’s no different for training. For Demonte, in Cleveland, they conducted their training during the winter, starting in December. The month started with first-year apprentices, 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week.

Second-year apprentices are brought in the second week. Third year on the third week. “The national standard is 144 hours, but the 404 provided 160 hours of training of 4 weeks of 40 per week,” says Demonte. Classes are scheduled ahead of time and provided to contractors to aid in scheduling.

“We try to give [the apprentices] the skills that maybe the contractor doesn’t have enough time on the job to teach him all aspects of our trade,” he adds.

The apprenticeship uses a specific curriculum designed for first-, second- and third-years with learning activities from instructors to apprentices and journeymen – they even provide virtual classrooms.

Examples of topics are polishing, blueprint reading, form setting, history of concrete, safety, and many others.

There will be a morning classroom with hands-on training afterward to practice proper methods. For form setting, for example, they’ll gain the experience in using wood and metal in various sizes allowing them to be familiar with the different applications.

“Whether you’re pouring a sidewalk, the pavement in an airport, doing walls, doing foundations, all those different aspects are incorporated in our curriculum,” adds Demonte. Basic skills and aspects

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 21

HOW TO CONTINUED

Images provided by the Operative Plasterers’ & Cement Masons’ International Association

are also included – skills like math conversions, accurately taking and reading a tape measure, how to tie a straight line, how to put a pin plumb, etc.

Instructors have the flexibility to create a different learning path for the structure of a program. In Cleveland, Demonte’s program included a project at the end of the year. While teaching a garage slab for first year apprentices, he taught all the skills you would need to plan, set up and work a garage slab on their own – even down to drawing the blueprint. Training becomes more advanced as the program progresses.

Aside from the core “old school” skills, OPCMIA have also incorporated robotic total stations as well as other new innovative solutions coming out in the construction industry. Training can also include decorative, polishing concrete, overlays, as well as drug and alcohol awareness, mental health, and suicide prevention.

“What separates us from the non-union sector is the training that’s provided,” says Demonte. In a non-union situation or with a contractor that might not be involved with a union, all the training would be taught on the jobsite.

Visit your local office and connect with one of the association’s business managers and/or business agents to get the conversation going. There are different ways to sign up and start working. Signatory contractors would be able to call and request a handful of workers for a job. Provided they also take on some apprentices based on how many workers needed, the office will be able to help. Search online at OPCMIA.org to help find your local OPCMIA office.

Demonte sees it like an investment where both contractor and union are invested in the development of what could be a future leader in the industry. “The end goal is for you to make money along with the contractor,” he says. “That’s always the end goal.”

TRAINING TECHNOLOGY Back in the day, a lot of the paperwork done, like timesheets, used a piece of paper with a carbon copy. Today, many office management software platforms like PROCORE streamline everything on a tablet. OPCMIA’s training reflects this transition and brought all of its apprenticeship programs to the same level.

Partnering with Trimble ProjectSite, they’ve included the use of BIM and technologies like robotic total stations in the training of planning curb and gutters, sidewalks, pavement areas, structures of buildings, and more.

“It’s training our future workforce using technology as a way to keep moving forward so you don’t get left behind,” says Demonte.

“I’m trying to promote our apprenticeship programs as much as I can because I think they’re very valuable to help us looking for that workforce, but we need the contractor’s help. It’s a working relationship that we both have to do well.”

For more information visit http://conc.me/OPCMIA

22 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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BOOTH O31350

QUALITY ASSURANCE » BY CHARLES RATHMANN

Why Concrete Quality Depends On Software An overview of the role different types of software in the back office and in the field can play in quality concrete project execution.

OpenSpace Capture’s Split View feature puts time-stamped photos side-by-side for easy comparison. ContractoAll stakeholders an understand progress at that specific date and time.

OpenSpace

M

any contractors will have processes to ensure a quality concrete pour: checklists or punch cards to standardize the material, verifications for fly ash, PSI, slump testing, even cylinder breaks. Curing plans too may differ, and this too must be communicated through to the field, with documentation to ensure plans were followed.

It makes a lot of sense to invest in methods to improve quality because rework is expensive.

One 2013 study, Review Study For Rework Causes In Construction Industry” published by ResearchGate.net found that major causes of rework were:

• Incorrect laying of forming • Poor concrete quality • Misinterpretation of the customer requirements • Poor communication • Inadequate project planning CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE Modern software-as-a-service (SaaS) construction project management software embeds these processes in a contractor’s overall business operations by extending enterprise software that extends from the early stages of project planning into field execution. Here are just a few ways construction software is

24 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

addressing concrete quality.

According to Procore Vice President of Product-General Contractors Julian Clayton, Procore’s Action Plans enable contractors to standardize processes for their company or a specific project.

“After filling in general information fields, users can seamlessly proceed to assigning responsibilities and confirming essential steps,” Clayton says. “The initial phase of a concrete pour involves careful pre-planning. For instance, during the pre-pour meeting, discussion may revolve around logistics, equipment orders, and concrete mix design approvals. Leveraging the template, users can easily upload meeting minutes,

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equipment order specifications, and submittals. Subsequently, users can outline pre-pour activities and secure sign-offs from each trade, ensuring their work is completed before advancing to the pour phase.”

This pre-pour documentation lives on through later project phases in Procore for both back office and field users, from defining initial project requirements through to post-pour activities.

SPECIALTY CONTRACTOR SOFTWARE FieldFlō, meanwhile, falls more into the field productivity software category, but does offer project management and other functionality for specialty contractors including dashboards, time and material tracking, inventory and equipment tracking and a form builder. But the software kicks in even before the project is won.

“We’re there in the beginning with our CRM (customer relationship management) software,” FieldFlō founder Roni Szigeti says.

This means FieldFlō captures customer requirements up front, with that data flowing into bidding, the plan and project specifications.

Customers can even have their own concrete pour card in the software. “They’re capturing the data and analytics that they need to from not only a daily field report, but also a QA QC,” Szigeti says. “That goes throughout the project lifecycle. And obviously, there’s job costing and those are ancillary benefits for a concrete contractor, because at the end of the day, they’re trying to make money. So they’re doing jobs with job cost tracking and once the project is over, and after they’ve done their safety, a QA, QC, inspection, management reporting, they’re required to generate a closeout report for the general contractor and the ultimate end user of the property.

They can do the instant closeout report via FieldFlō, which has all the QA, QC, inspections, forms, documentation from the document vault, all in one package instantly. That can then be delivered to the end user, whether that be the GC or the building owner or property owner.”

But construction field productivity software products do more than standardize processes—they capture data from various sources and embed them in a system of record, in some cases using optical character recognition (OCR) to generate reliable information that can be used by everyone during and after the project.

“Those QA, QC inspections or concrete pour cards enable our customers to upload not only images, but documents,” Szigeti says. “So if they snap a photo or load a document, those resources are built into a report. If God forbid one of those situations happens and there’s a failure on site, you can do root cause analysis, or get back up documentation within seconds, filtering down by date, or by form type, or close out report.

The beauty of it is that testing for that day can be loaded right into the concrete pour card creating essentially one full document of the day, or of the pour.”

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REALITY CAPTURE FOR CONSTRUCTION Reality capture by Lidar or cameras on drones, tripods and handheld or wearable devices are powerful concrete quality tools. SiteAware’s product offering is used frequently to spot discrepancies before concrete is poured on complex vertical construction projects.

“Imagine all your projects ahead of schedule and zero dollars allocated for rework from your contingency budget,” says SiteAware CEO Zeev Braude. “That is what we can offer them in the areas we are very strong. For the first time, construction contractors can identify in real time the difference between the intent, the plans and the field work and address those gaps in real time so there is no rework. Rework is one of the biggest challenges in the industry. It creates unpredictable outcomes on a project—on the budget, the schedule or the final product.”

Braude says the company’s turnkey data capture approach can be viable even on smaller stick-built projects, but comes into its own on concrete-intensive vertical construction.

“If a contractor is doing concrete work, this is an immediate opportunity,” Braude says. “Another thing that makes SiteAware a good fit is If you have a lot of systems in the walls, like hospitals where you have systems that go in the walls.

And then those systems go from one level to the next. When you are pouring concrete and make mistakes and then pour concrete, those systems are at risk and you have to do a lot of rework. Another factor is exposure to budgetary risk and schedule risk, and that is more than 95% of the market.”

A pour can also be documented through construction photogrammetry data capture using helmet-mounted 360-degree cameras, according to OpenSpace Senior Sales Manager for Trades Josh Berger.

“Our customers are using OpenSpace Capture to document their job at each stage of the process, which in turn helps with coordination, progress tracking and safety inspections,” Berger says. “They see tremendous value in documenting before the pour, to ensure the reinforcement bars, spacers and ties are installed in accordance with the approved building plans.”

Capture, OpenSpace’s tool for capturing project walks, turns 360 photos into structured data in a system of record, making it more valuable for documentation than field notes in field productivity software that may contain cell phone photos of site conditions or completed work.

“Before the pour, OpenSpace customers are using our technology to improve coordination and quality control,” Berger says. “Pre-pour walks are improved with OpenSpace by capturing while you walk–saving a visual record with all of the areas viewed, automatically mapped to the drawings or BIM. They are able to be proactive and spot discrepancies, with a side-by-side comparison of reality to the drawings or BIM–sidestepping potential future complications. Our customer Nibbi Brothers General Contractors was able to confirm every cable, every opening, and every steel plate was in the right place before pouring the concrete for a complicated deck.

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CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 25

QUALITY ASSURANCE CONTINUED

Concrete contractors’ pour cards, time sheets, field reporting and more can be standardized in field productivity solutions like FieldFlo. FieldFlo

In one case, they found their shop drawings had reversed east and west. By identifying this before the pour, they were able to make the critical adjustments and avoid significant rework.”

Another OpenSpace customer, Baker Concrete, uses OpenSpace for issue management.

“Using the Field Notes feature, they identify issues that need to be addressed, tracking them in the drawing and the capture,” Berger says. “When an engineer walks the site and asks to change something, they’ll easily note it in OpenSpace.

This makes it easy to close out any fixes needed and keeps a record of these requested changes that can later be used as a backup for costs associated with a change order.” This in turn streamlines the request for information (RFI) process.

“Instead of a super or party chief seeing an issue and having to go to the office to talk with the PM team, with OpenSpace they tag an RFI requirement to the capture, adding notes to expedite the process with the visual record and context right there for review,” Berger says. “They also like how easy it is to create punch lists. Using OpenSpace, they are able to document in 360-degree view the walk-through and have an itemby-item punch list generated from it with easy access for all through a cell phone, iPad or CPU. The punch list items can be marked completed, assigned due dates, etc., and is much more efficient than loading photos into planning software or a PDF document.”

The indelible project record created by solutions like

26 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

OpenSpace will also support contractors in documenting that work was performed according to requirements—which is invaluable during dispute resolution.

“After the pour, OpenSpace is used for site investigation– our customers are able to troubleshoot and solve issues, minimizing rework, by ‘seeing through the concrete’ and understanding where the footings are,” Berger says. “Concrete Frame Associates, for example, has been able to offer services and efficiently fix issues by going back in time to understand the dimensions and the location of the concrete members–and not just in the structural plans. They have also seen the benefits of having documented with OpenSpace for dispute resolution.

You can go back in time and resolve any disputes over whether the job was done correctly or not, with a historical record of the job. Concrete Frame Associates has been able to answer questions that arose a year after the job when a chip appeared, as to whether they were at fault or not.”

For more information visit https://CONC.me/tech

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From farm to infrastructure.

Learn more at PoreShield.com

Is your concrete ready for winter?

Deicing salts and the freeze-thaw cycle are especially hard on concrete. Protect your investment with PoreShield, the future of concrete preservation. Absorbed into the pore network, PoreShield protects from within for 10+ years. PoreShield is easy to apply, nontoxic and more cost-effective than conventional sealers.

Visit us at

Booth S12552

CONCRETE BATCH PLANTS The Placer Mobile Batch Plant & Gypsum Pump

Originally designed in 1977, the Placer is no stranger to the world of Gypsum underlayment. Truth be told, one of the very first Placers built has just now been retired in 2021. If that does not scream quality, then what does?

The Placer is built to last with the trustworthy performance of the John Deere 4045 99HP engine. With the combination of Strong Manufacturing’s signature designed progressive cavity pump, the company’s patented 12ft³ double-drum mixer, material output of 100 gallons per minute, and a pairing of vertical pumping distances of over 200 feet, there is simply nothing like it. https://CONC.me/5et4zbiw

Winterized Mobile Concrete Plants Substantially Reduce CO²

Enabling concrete producers to make better concrete with less materials and lower emissions, Tecwill’s ARCAMIX relocatable modular plant significantly reduces CO² emissions and increases sustainability. The main elements of the plant are built of recycled sea containers. Unlike conventional plants that are complicated and expensive to transport, the upcycled ARCAMIX plant is easy to transport. Especially in cold weather, the plant requires considerably less time to install.

• Low cost of setup – the plant can be erected on a concrete slab or on steel skids • Fast set-up time, even in winter • Preassembled plant – pre-wired and tested at the factory • Precise concrete temperature – total control in cold and hot weather • More accurate “flying” weighing with better aggregate moisture control by Tecwill OptiMoist system: Saves cement by up to 10%, Reduces CO² by up to 50 lb/yd³ • Partial plant production in North America, reducing logistics costs https://CONC.me/py5237tu

The Secret Is Out!

www.kippercrete.com 28 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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SPOTLIGHT » BY JONATHAN KOZLOWSKI, EDITOR

The U.S. 301 Concrete Test Road The ACI’s Florida First Coast Chapter has named Superior’s U.S. 301 Concrete Test Road project a 2023 Significant Concrete Structure.

SUPERIOR CONSTRUCTION USED A GOMACO PS 2600 PLACER/SPREADER. Image provided by Superior Construction

T

he American Concrete Institute’s Florida First Coast Chapter has named U.S. 301 Concrete Test Road project a 2023 Significant Concrete Structure. The Florida Department of Transportation-owned $32.1 million project, which received the top prize in the transportation category, is the only full-scale concrete testing facility in the Southeastern U.S. In addition, the contractor involved, Superior Construction, received the Concrete Supplier of Significant Concrete Structures Award.

The U.S. 301 Concrete Test Road serves as a field laboratory, testing concrete pavement and base designs under live traffic loads. Composed of 52 experimental concrete pavement sections, the project utilizes innovative technologies to collect real-time data on the efficacy of various concrete types, thicknesses, and base types available for use on Florida roads. These concurrent experiments examine the roads’ structural integrity and drainage, as well as calibrate road fatigue and cracking. FDOT seeks to determine the most effective materials to create resilient transportation corridors.

The test road was constructed parallel to the existing northbound lanes of U.S. 301 in Clay County, between Maxville and Lawtey, Florida. A weigh-in-motion (WIM) system at the southern end of the test road is used to document the vehicle types and weights that traverse the road. To complete the project, Superior poured 36,500 square yards of concrete pavement — embedding it with advanced instrumentation, including strain gauges, thermocouples, and moisture gauges to continually monitor the road conditions.

Superior set up a concrete batch plant on-site during the concrete paving phase of construction, enabling ahead-ofschedule completion. The project is estimated to be complete in June 2024.

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CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 29

WALLS, FOUNDATIONS & STRUCTURAL

Fiber-Reinforced Concrete As An Alternative to Conventional Steel Fiber concrete reinforcement can be a cost-effective, durable and even sustainable alternative to conventional steel like rebar and wire mesh. Can synthetic fibers compete “head-to-head” with steel?

A

s the demand for more sustainable construction grows and raw material shortages like steel continue to be a challenge, fiber-reinforced concrete has become an increasingly popular choice for flatwork and elevated construction—from precast and ready-mix concrete to shotcrete.

Fibers make concrete significantly more resistant to cracking from plastic and drying shrinkage, leading to a highly durable end product with a longer lifespan. Some fiber types can even greatly reduce construction time and, in Macrofiber provides three-dimensional reinforcement against cracking.

some applications, eliminate the need for conventional steel.

Typical fiber-reinforced concrete surface finish.

Images provided by The Euclid Chemical Corporation

30 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

WHY USE FIBERS IN CONCRETE? Regarded as a cost-effective, durable and even sustainable alternative to conventional steel like rebar and wire mesh, fiber-reinforced concrete boasts a variety of benefits: • Prevents plastic and drying shrinkage cracks • Enables faster construction times and lower labor costs • Finishes smoothly with any surface fibers quickly fading under foot/ vehicle traffic • Provides same level of reinforcement as wire mesh with even distribution throughout concrete • Eliminates the need for chairs to support conventional steel rebar and

wire mesh • Well recognized by major concrete organizations and tested to industry standards HOW SYNTHETIC FIBERS COMPARE TO STEEL Micro-synthetic fibers provide superior resistance to plastic shrinkage cracking over welded wire, but aren’t resistant to further crack width openings caused by drying shrinkage, structural load or other forms of stress. However, they should be regularly specified in any concrete type to improve cracking resistance, spall protection, freeze-thaw durability and homogeneity of concrete during placement. Microfibers are available in 1/2 in. to 3/4 in. lengths, with dosage rates varying from 0.5 to 1.5 lbs/ yd3 depending on the fiber product and application type.

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Broom finishing macrofiber-reinforced concrete.

Macro-synthetic fibers not only provide resistance to plastic shrinkage but also enhance concrete’s durability, toughness and limited structural capacity when properly designed. Dosed at amounts equivalent to conventional reinforcement, these fibers are distributed three dimensionally throughout the concrete section. Macro-synthetic fibers can be likened to the use of steel fibers, but are usually easier to place and finish due to their lighter weight, non-corrosive nature and high pumpability. Macrofibers are typically 1/2 in. to 2 in. long, with dosage rates varying from 3 to 15 lbs/yd3 (1.8 – 9.0 kg/m3) depending on the fiber product and application type.

So, can synthetic fibers compete “head-to-head” with steel? Absolutely! Macrofibers offer durability and residual strength capacity equivalent to steel. Assuming an adequate fiber design is performed, macro-synthetic fibers generally require 5-10 times less weight of material compared to steel, streamlining on-site handling and storage. They are also non-magnetic and non-corrosive, making them ideal for exterior pavements where aesthetics and safety are a concern. Since concrete containing macrofibers is mixed, the fiber also becomes somewhat pliable and not nearly as abrasive to pumping lines and equipment.

CONCRETE FLOORING Providing concrete floors with early-age cracking resistance, fiber reinforcement can be used to replace conventional steel for temperature/shrinkage crack control and limited structural applications. The three-dimensional reinforcement offered by macrofibers also offers greater abrasion, fatigue and impact resistance while increasing service life through enhanced durability.

Additionally, the concrete matrix’s increased tensile capacity can reduce overall shrinkage stresses, which allows for increased joint spacing. There are successful examples and significant industry research that support the increase of control joint spacing in floor designs with macro-synthetic and steel fibers. This is typically combined with improved concrete mix designs using advanced chemical admixtures as well as proper placement and curing practices.

Some fiber manufacturers have also experimented with joint-free floors. To extend joint spacing beyond traditional construction practices, there are many factors that must be considered. Low water-tocement ratio, lower cement content, and shrinkage reducing and/or compensating admixtures with adequate curing yields strong durability with reduced risk for curling and shrinkage cracks. Other factors such as proper subgrade preparation, placement, saw-cut depth, curing time and exposure conditions must also be evaluated.

It is highly recommended to conduct testing and verification prior to a flooring construction project to ensure engineering and specification requirements are met. This is typically done by conducting shrinkage tests on the proposed concrete mix design to establish general shrinkage characteristics, which lead to the discussion of potential joint spacing measurements.

CONCRETE PAVEMENT Fiber-reinforced concrete is also a cost-effective, sustainable solution for resurfacing and rehabilitating existing pavements and bridge

Concrete pavement with macro-fiber reinforcement.

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 31

WALLS, FOUNDATIONS & STRUCTURAL CONTINUED

Macrofiber reinforcement provides cost savings over rebar and welded wire.

The Euclid Chemical Corporation

decks. In fact, many state DOTs and other transportation agencies are promoting macrofibers over conventional steel and developing performance-based specifications for pavement overlays and full-depth replacement systems to increase service life and reduce long-term maintenance costs.

Macro-synthetic fibers significantly reduce or even completely eliminate the expense and installation time of conventional reinforcement, while producing concrete pavements that are easily placed with less environmental impact on the jobsite.

CONCRETE WALL SYSTEMS Macro-synthetic fibers can also be used as an alternative to steel reinforcement with nearly any concrete wall application.

The dosage rates are based on strength-to-strength calculations supported by standardized test methods and industry practices.

This significantly reduces time and labor costs, while producing more durable concrete. These fibers can also provide the same strength capacity as steel in wall applications such as foundations and retaining walls.

Macro-fiber reinforcement can be used as a cost-effective, sustainable solution for buildings constructed with insulated concrete form (ICF) wall systems, which have historically been reinforced by steel rebar engineered to resist forces from soil, wind and other loading conditions. Dosed correctly, macrofibers eliminate rebar in ICF walls for significant time and cost savings.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR CONCRETE MIX DESIGN & APPLICATION Adding fibers often reduces the slump of a concrete mix, which measures the workability of fresh concrete during placement. This is likened to adding more ingredients to the mix and, therefore, requires more fluid to maintain an apparent slump—hence the appearance of workability loss. Microfibers, used at typical dosages, generally only decrease slump slightly and don’t require significant changes to maintain placement characteristics. Yet, macro-synthetic and steel fibers can affect the workability of concrete in a more significant way, depending on fiber type and dosage.

To improve the workability of fiber-reinforced concrete,

32 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

the ACI 544.3 standard offers recommendations and guidance to potentially modify the mix design. Additionally, the use of chemical admixtures like superplasticizers or water reducers increase the workability of concrete without adding water. It is recommended that trial batches are performed to ensure mixture workability.

Factors such as fiber material type, architecture, dimension and dosage may affect the surface finish of fiber-reinforced concrete, as well as the required surface-finishing method that is used. Stiff or rigid fibers typically have a greater tendency to protrude up through the slab than flexible fibers.

Proper external vibration is another key factor when finishing fiber-reinforced concrete. The general recommendation is to use the same finishing techniques and approximate timing as conventional concrete. When casting samples for testing, no internal vibration within the molds can be used. Synthetic fibers may delay bleed water at the surface, which impacts finish timing on larger slabs.

There are many broom finishing tips that minimize surface appearance, such as brooming in one direction or using specific broom bristles to align surface fibers. If necessary, a torch can burn off synthetic fibers on a concrete surface—but should not be used until all desired hardened concrete properties are achieved. When finishing industrial, commercial and warehouse floors where high dosage levels of macro-synthetic and steel fibers are used, a laser or vibrating screed is usually recommended.

Michael Mahoney is a professional engineer and director of marketing and technology for fiber-reinforced concrete at Euclid Chemical.

For more information visit https://CONC.me/rebar

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Minnich Flex Shaft Vibrators: The Experts Choice for Solid Results

Minnich Flex Shaft Vibrators Built to exceed your expectations and outperform the competition. With results in mind, our vibrators are engineered for control and durability, ensuring a smooth and flawless pour every time. With more control over your results and a longer lifespan than other options on the market, our flex shaft concrete vibrators are the perfect choice for the professional looking to take their work to the next level.

WORKSITE SAFETY & PPE

Pyramex Insulated Winter Gloves

This line of insulated and safety-rated winter gloves includes a diverse selection of cut-resistant dipped, leather and corded gloves.

• Insulated dipped gloves constructed from either latex or nitrile, each designed to be cut, puncture and abrasion resistant • Insulated Leather Driver gloves made from value shoulder grain cowhide with a warm fleece inner lining or select grain pigskin with a fleece liner, both featuring a gunn cut and keystone thumb for good mobility • Insulated Corded glove series includes models designed for impact protection, cold and water resistance and/or puncture and abrasion resistance • All models available in sizes S-2XL

StaCool Vests in Safety Colors

ToughBuilt Waterproof Knee Pads

StaCool Industries offers the StaCool Vest Core Body Cooling System in luminescent safety colors, helping workers beat the summer heat while allowing Work Zone employees to stay safe. Fully adjustable models are available in safety yellow, orange and green to wear over normal clothing.

Under-vests are also available, to be worn under other clothing. Micro-thin breathable materials provide wearers cooling and support mobility in worksites. ThermoPaks around the vest provide hours of cooling. A spare set of ThermoPaks is included with each StaCool Vest to extend cooling time when the initial set thaws. A thermal barrier is built in to minimizing the possibility of getting too cold.

These Waterproof Knee Pads (TB-KP-102) feature a pliable outer shell that protects the knee on rough terrain while preventing scratches on delicate surfaces.

• High-density foam provides all-day comfort • Flexible accordion construction keeps out debris and maintains comfort while walking • Elastic band wrapped around upper calf avoids painful strapping at back of knee • Can be easily cleaned with water after every job • Lightweight yet rugged design https://CONC.me/8pko6nv4

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AlumoGrit Cast Aluminum Nosings

by Wooster Products

Wooster Products’ AlumoGrit cast aluminum nosings feature abrasive grit integrally cast into the surface for long lasting anti-slip protection. These durable nosings are well suited for rough use, in indoor or outdoor installations, in new construction or existing structures. They are highly resistant to corrosive environments, making them ideal for facilities where harsh chemicals are often used.

Available in 3-inch, 4-inch, and 6-inch widths, and lengths to 8 ½ feet, with cross-hatching and fluting that is clean and well defined. Each section is shot blasted prior to shipment with concealed anchors.

AlumoGrit abrasive cast aluminum nosings provide years of slip-resistant service life and are ideal for use in parking garages, exterior stairs, in wastewater treatment plants, chemical processing facilities, and other locations where harsh chemicals are often used. https://CONC.me/zdkex50i

811spotter Mobile App

Bollé Safety Universal Goggles

811spotter has announced the General Availability (GA) release of its iOS and Android app. The app gives construction field teams access to data and documentation capabilities via a map-based interface, enabling contractors to work safely in challenging environments. The 811spotter platform supports the process of managing 811 tickets to help contractors manage excavation projects and avoid damage to underground pipelines, cables and other pre-existing infrastructure. Field teams can also collect supplementary data about utilities and other infrastructure while in the field, adding geotagged photos, notes and location information to support information provided by the regional 811 center and support safety for future field teams working in the same area.

Bollé Safety has launched a new series of safety goggles for specific applications, including construction. Each has a specific color strap with variations in ventilation, lens color and material.

The Universal Goggle prevents external hazards, such as impacts, gases and liquids, radiation and more, from entering a worker’s eyes by offering a customized fit, reducing the gap between the frame and the skin for protection. Universal Goggles include a color coding system and a new form-fitting innovation from Bollé Safety called The Wave technology. This technology features an accordion-style bellows system that allows the goggle to conform to a user’s face and evenly distributes the goggle’s pressure across the face. https://CONC.me/p9p56tz1

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34 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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Ergodyne Hi-vis Safety Vests

Ergodyne has launched three new hi-vis vests for construction work. Leading the lineup of new hi-vis vests is the GloWear 8251HDZ-BK Two-Tone Hi-Vis Safety Vest (Type R, Class 2), which is available in lime and orange. The GloWear 8315BA Hi-Vis Breakaway Safety Vest (Type R, Class 3) features a breakaway design for disconnection when entangled. Rounding out the new trio is the GloWear 8210Z-BK Mesh Hi-Vis Safety Vest (Type R, Class 2). https://CONC.me/umpb00wi

MORE JOBS. MORE MILES. MORE DEADLINES MET.

Werner R3 Concrete Anchor

Werner offers the R3 Concrete Anchor for secure fall protection on construction sites. One-hand operation allows for both installation and removal to provide security needed 300 ft. above the ground. The R3 anchor can be used for horizontal, vertical and overhead applications. These products are rated with a minimum breaking strength of 5,000 lbs. to 10,000 lbs. Quick-release technology enables release and reuse by pushing the anchor with your thumb. A stainless steel version is available, providing corrosion resistance in rugged work environments.

Every job comes with a unique set of circumstances. But the two things all jobs have in common are concrete and deadlines.

Which is why we’ve designed our drills to be the fastest, most accurate, operator-friendly machines on the market, keeping your crew safe and on pace for more jobs. No matter the deadline.

Designed to Beat Deadlines.

ezdrill.com Visit us at

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Booth C3333 ©2022 E-Z Drill, Inc.

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CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 35

WORKSITE SAFETY & PPE

Brass Knuckle Read Bi-focal Safety Glasses

Brass Knuckle offers Read (BKREAD-6010) Protective Eyewear for construction professionals requiring corrective lenses when using safety glasses. This product serves as bi-focal eye protection and is available in five diopter strengths: 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0. A durable polycarbonate frame provides side protection during use. The clear lenses are ANSIrated hard-coated polycarbonate with BK-Anti-FOG. A worker who wears corrective lenses is not exempt from wearing proper eye protection.

Additionally, the revised ANSI/SEA Z87.1-2015 standard recognizes the need for protective readers that offer magnification for the wearer. Brass Knuckle meets this need with Read BKREAD-6010.

ISOtunes Link 2.0 Helmet Mount

ISOtunes has announced the release of the LINK 2.0 helmet mount for securing the LINK 2.0 earmuff to safety helmets. The construction accessory is equipped with a universal fitting clip that securely attaches to a variety of conventional helmets on the market today. This helmet mount features tactile buttons for navigation and optional dual battery usage. Optional boom mic compatibility for crystal-clear calls enables users to stay connected and communicate with clarity in loud working environments. The LINK 2.0 helmet mount blocks 21 dB of noise and is IPX4 sweat and water resistant. https://CONC.me/g7qm7t8u

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36 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

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Honda GX Series Engines, Over 40 Years Strong. Past. Present. Future.

Honda GX Series engines have spent over 40 years earning a reputation for quality, performance, and legendary reliability.

Honda GX engines have taken on the toughest jobs, delivering easy starting, impressive fuel efficiency, quiet operation, and rugged durability. Today, Honda’s complete GX engine line-up is ready to carry that tradition forward. After all, four decades is a great start.

engines.honda.com For optimum performance and safety we recommend you read the owner’s manual before operating your Honda Power Equipment. © 2023 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

FORM YOUR BUSINESS » BY CHARLES RATHMANN

How Concrete Contractor Technology Needs Change As Your Business Grows From the one-man band to the far-flung enterprise, here are 20+ software solutions you might want to take a look at.

T

oday, a one-person concrete contractor has access to more sophisticated business technology than the multicountry construction conglomerate had not that many years ago. And the largest concrete enterprises can access digital collaboration and automation tools that could not have been conceived until recently.

It is easier than ever to use this technology to satisfy customers looking for more predictable processes and scheduling, more accurate delivery against the contract and more documentation on progress or what was constructed. Using affordable and standard technologies, any concrete contactor can probably bid and win more business, complete it more profitably, get more repeat business and grow.

But with all the talk about truly marginal technologies like ChatGPT, Bitcoin and Web 3.0, and then a burgeoning startup sector with promising solutions that may or may not stick, what are the technologies that provide the most promise concrete contractors of each weight class? We plumb the IRONPROS Construction Technology multivendor marketplace and our knowledge base for some insights.

SMALL ENTERPRISES The first challenge of a startup with one, two or a handful

38 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

SERHII @ ADOBE STOCK

of employees is to function as an organized business. And many entrepreneurs have more skill as craftspeople and tradespeople than as business people. That is why a first consideration for most contractors will be an account package so they can start to plan a profit-first contracting operation and more reliably be around to meet their obligations as a contractor.

Intuit QuickBooks is omnipresent in this market, and this means it is well understood by certified public accounts and others. There are alternative online multitenant software-asa-service (SaaS) account products including Xero Simplicity and Sage 50cloud. But apart from meeting immediate needs, a contactor should think about their growth ambitions and ensure there is an infrastructure in place to facilitate more and larger projects, a growing employee base and equipment.

Intuit QuickBooks Contractor Edition, a version of QuickBooks Enterprise 23.0 gives a concrete contractor: • Intercompany transactions • Customized charge of accounts including work in progress, overages and shortages, labor, materials and more • Flexible billing rates to allow for different rates for employees based on job difficulty, experience level and certifications/licenses • Employee time tracking and task management

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FORM YOUR BUSINESS CONTINUED

ME IMAGE @ ADOBE STOCK

Sage also has a large partner network and solutions like Sage 100 Contractor, Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate and Sage Intacct a business can give Sage 50cloud customers a step up as they grow. But right of the box, Sage 50cloud will help contractors: • Create, track and report on projects • Use job records, phases and cost codes • Streamline change order information and approvals • Forecast cash flow • Handle payroll including compliance tools The QuickBooks partner ecosystem is large, and a number of construction software products will have standard integrations, and this is one way contractors can keep their house in order while automating a lot of the administrative work.

As a contracting business owns more assets and equipment, some type of asset tagging or tracking will become attractive. These applications can capture data on equipment and assets and scale supporting more organized and automated asset management and accountability in the business. There are specialist tools like Rooster Asset Tracking Systems, with a solution of cloud data portals and activity trackers.

More generalist solutions like Asset Panda, which is highly configurable and can extend down to assets that may not merit even a Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) tag.

Even the lone tradesperson can now also access field service management software that will streamline many of their operations. From Workwave, ServiceTitan and other vendors, a concrete contractor can get not only the tools to manage day-to-day tasks professionally and consistency, but wrap-around services like marketing and financing.

TECH FOR MIDDLE MARKET CONCRETE CONTRACTORS Okay, now you have a few employees, more equipment, and maybe you are spending a lot more on those people, equipment objects and also on materials. You have more people involved working on the business as well as in the business, and containing their work in an enterprise application becomes more important. It’s time to start thinking

40 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

about formalizing processes beyond accounting and managing risk.

Here, broad business applications like Procore, HCSS, Autodesk Build and Bentley Synchro can deliver standardized yet flexible best practices and even, in the case of Synchro 4D, some pretty advanced what-if scenario planning and modeling.

On common entry point for any business software product in construction is estimating, because this is the process that if done at scale and well gives a contractor the ability to execute on growth plans.

Applications like B2W Estimate, Sage Estimating, STACK, HCSS Heavy Bid and others can be extended for the later stages in the project lifecycle.

While basic time sheets and payroll are critical, a contractor with a growing workforce a concrete contractor should consider a human capital management software with an applicant tracking system that will help them handle everything from onboarding to union work rules and employee development. Arcoro, Core HR Management and Procore LaborChart could all be worth evaluating.

More advanced tools to track that growing workforce could become important—tools ranging from more advanced field-based visibility and control like Eyrus, or field productivity software like Assignar, Raken, busybusy, Sage Field Operations or others. Some of these software products, like Sage Field Operations, can do double duty, handling job ticketing on days- or weeks-long projects and field service where a crew or technician visits multiple sites per day. ServiceTitan is also moving in this direction, making these solutions excellent choices for contractors where a single workforce supports both types of approaches, as in combinations of large and small jobs, inspections and multi-day projects.

A growing equipment fleet may mean a GPS asset management solution like Tenna, HCSS Equipment 360, HCSS Telematics, Clue, or Fleetio. There are a lot of slap-and-track options on the market, but a middle market company may want to capture and use not just location and hours of operation data but data from OEM or aftermarket telematics. That data is not much use by itself so it must be extended by software that can make it useful to support maintenance workflows

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and fix-or-replace and other lifecycle decisions on individual pieces of equipment, equipment classes or fleets.

• Quickbase, a low-code development platform with extensive prebuilt functionality for construction

LARGE CONCRETE ENTERPRISES Visit the IRONPROS Construction Technology The largest concrete contractors often have increasing levels of marketplace for more insight, https://CONC.me/IRONPROS-tech diversity in their business. Many will have plant operations in multiple jurisdictions, and then even become broad heavy construction materials operations. While sustainability is important to middle market organizations, larger concrete organizations are part of broad backdrop agreements to reduce embodied carbon. Cement manufacturing is a significant factor, but so are operational impacts of production and logistics in the field. New things to consider at this level include: • A robust enterprise resource planning (ERP) product, allows for more for more complexity More durable than a typical carbide, lasting over 15 in the chart of accounts and intra-company traditional carbide drums. No need to grind and smooth with transactions and API extensibility two different machines. Save time and money.

• Tighter integration between asset information and finance and predictive analytics to support fix-or-replace and fleetwide initiatives 8” DIAMOND Drum • Tools to facilitate interoperability either Flat Tooth Complete. within the divisions of an organization or in 4” DIAMOND Drum project Flat Tooth Complete.

At this degree of development, a concrete contractor should probably bee off an entry 10” DIAMOND Drum level accounting or ERP product. A contractor Flat Tooth Complete. involved in enough government-related work may want to consider a product like Deltek Costpoint, which has FedRAMP controls implemented for General Contractor/Construction Manager (GC/CM) Contracting.

Others that are completing off-site processes like precast may want to ensure they have ERP that can also encompass shop-based materials requirements planning (MRP), process manufacturing and inventory.

Many larger contractors develop their own internal integration platform-as-a-service. But these often rely on external tools and vendors like: • Newforma, the leader in project information management software for use across the design-build lifecycle • Loadspring, which offers cloud hosted project management software and valueCRETE-PLANERS® added services often used by members of Available in Gas, Electric, and Propane joint ventures or project teams or large enterprises • Toric, whose data connectors, nodes and templates streamline data flows across more than 50 construction data sources for edcoinc.com • sales@edcoinc.com • 800-638-3326 analysis

NEW DIAMOND DRUMS

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 41

THE LAST PLACEMENT

Influencing Field Production Through Objectivity

T

o be objective is to respect what is expected and realize that compliance must be achieved. To be objective is not necessarily the same as being “fair.” For example, it’s not fair to work long hours, or work Saturdays, or to have one crew work on harder projects than other crews. However, it is objective to know what needs to be completed, when it is to be completed, and to make the right, sometimes tough, decisions to get it completed.

Consider how your leadership efforts can positively influence your field people, while being objective, when you: • Know your project details, scope of work, and the clear compliance issues. We never want to direct our production leaders to direct the wrong efforts to complete a project. Steering your people in the wrong direction will greatly reduce the amount of influence you will have with your people.

• Educate your field leaders on No. 1 above. It is always wise, not just productive, to educate your field leaders first and then, their “leads” who help them execute the production needs and goals. Making sure that your field leaders truly know the project details, what the clear scope of work represents, and any compliance issue that the company must satisfy. This might even be expanded to know who the customer is and what their expectations are for the project.

• Discuss each required action needed to complete the project. Who estimated and initially thought through the execution of the project?

That individual, be they the owner, the estimator, or project manager,

42 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

must sit down with the leaders and walk through each process, looking for those areas that may pose a challenge. Accomplishing this effort BEFORE the project starts can win much respect and greatly improve the senior leader in influencing the field people to take the appropriate steps to complete the project as estimated.

• Debate options that are realistic including manpower, crew makeup, lay-down areas, labor schedule, required safety preparation, etc. The time to disagree and to argue best steps are before the project starts.

Here the senior leader can allow his or her field production “experts” the chance to hammer out what they think is the best based on the project, the resources, the expectations, etc. for the project. One option in approaching the last project may not work best on the new project for different reasons than were experienced on the previous project.

• Seek understanding and agreement on the final “pre-construction” decisions and map the project plan accordingly.

A final agreement must be reasoned.

It is always desired to have 100% consensus but when this is not possible, at least the entire decisionmaking body for the project must agree that whatever final decisions are arrived at will be supported. This is a tricky area that leaders must realize that once a “bill is passed” that all the leaders will work to bring the best results through to the end.

• Re-engage No. 5 above when field leaders veer off the initial path.

Should early agreement be reached, and the production begins but field leaders begin to veer from what was

the original pathway, a “time-out” must be called and the leaders must re-engage. This re-engagement will involve the “veering leaders” to explain, with examples, why they have strayed away from what we first agreed to. Perhaps the field leaders have captured something that was not known to the leadership team who developed the initial plan.

However, if the reasons to veer do not have substance and provide an improvement to the production success, the field leaders will back up and reassert to follow the initial plan that was first developed.

Being objective in construction is often an easy to challenge experience.

Seasoned field veterans, used to doing the same things for 20 years or more will be hard to change their ways. Yet, this is where the influencing leader must step up, provide objectivity in the discussion, presenting information that even the most experienced of “old dogs” can respect and recognize the wisdom.

Here’s to influencing your field leaders through being an objective leader who consistently seeks to be equitable, yet realistically compliant!

President and Founder of Pinnacle Development Group, Brad Humphrey continues to speak at conferences about the world, working with contractors of all size. His weekly podcast, The Contractor’s Best Friend, continues to be an industry leader and is sponsored by Caterpillar and IRONMARKETS. Find his podcast on ForConstructionPros.com.

For more information visit https://CONC.me/ bestfriend

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How Technology Will Deliver The

Modular Construction

Revolution

Gain Access to a Three Part Series, Including: • Part 1: Why Contractors Need to Get Serious about Offsite Construction • Part 2: The Rise of Software for Offsite Construction • Part 3: Offsight Builds Out ERP for Modular, Panelization and Volumetric Construction

To Read the Full Report, Visit: IRONPROS.COM